5 Places Across Canada to Get Banh Mi

With pickled vegetables and a mouthwatering variety of deli meats sandwiched between a fluffy baguette, the delightfully simple banh mi, or Vietnamese sub, packs big flavours. This casual meal is ideal for when you’re on the go and can be found in a range of establishments, from unpretentious mom and pop shops to trendy restaurants that put a modern spin on this Vietnamese staple.

Here are five places across the country to get an authentic taste of Vietnam.

Conveniently situated in downtown Winnipeg on Portage Avenue, Banh Mi King serves up generous portions of Vietnamese rice dishes, pho, and salads, as well as banh mi.

The team here bakes their baguettes in-house daily and offers contemporary banh mi options like lemongrass steak and sambal shrimp. For a more traditional take, go with the Saigon Cold Cut banh mi, with the classic combination of cold cuts and homemade paté on a fresh baguette.

Address: 510 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB. @banhmikingwinnipeg

Nhon Hoa in Chinatown has been Edmonton’s go-to for Vietnamese subs since 1988.

This long standing establishment now boasts four different locations throughout the city. Diners especially love the Combo banh mi, which features a blend of a bacon roll, head cheese, and Vietnamese sausage sandwiched between a crispy baguette.

Address: 9718 106 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB +3 locations. @banhminhonhoa

Banh Mi Boys first opened its doors in 2011, and its fourth location opened in 2017. Run by three brothers with a deep love of Vietnamese cuisine, they put a modern twist on the banh mi, with sandwich offerings like braised beef, panko-crusted tofu, and squid.

Try the Five-Spice Pork Belly Banh Mi if you’re craving something new, which is stuffed with tender and juicy meat in a hoisin-based sauce.

Address: 2365 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON +3 locations. @banhmiboys

This family-run sandwich shop on Vancouver’s Victoria Drive frequently has a line out the door, so call ahead to place your order if you want to avoid the wait.

Fans love the Dac Biet sub, which comes with ham, head cheese, meatball, meatloaf, and pate. For a refreshing combination, pair your banh mi with their iced sugar cane juice.

Address: 5397 Victoria Drive, Vancouver, BC. @banh.mi.saigon

On Saint-Denis mere steps from Marché Jean-Talon, the unassuming Hung Phat remains Montreal’s favourite place for Vietnamese subs since it first opened in 2006.

Try your sub with marinated beef and extra mayo. Aside from serving banh mi, they also offer tempting noodle bowls, like their signature bún bò Huế, as well as chè, a Vietnamese sweet soup dessert.

Address:7099 Saint-Denis St, Montreal, QC. @marchehungphat